Air line lubricating device



June 22, 1954 s. i=Q sTRElCKER ET-AL. 2,631,710

AIR LINE LUBRICATI-NG DEVICE Filed Dec. 19, 1951 Patented June 22, 1954AIR LINE LUBRICATING DEVICE Seymour F. Streicke John Skidmor r, John J.Oros, and e, Chicago, Ill.

Application December 19, 1951, Serial No. 262,454

Claims. 1

This invention is concerned with an air lubricating device of thecharacter designed to be connected into a compressed air line supplyingpneumatically operated tools and which automatically provides lubricantto be carried through the line to the tool for lubricating same.

Prior devices of the character herewith concerned have operated on theprinciple of mechanically dispersing the fluid lubricant into the airline. The liquid lubricant is dropped into the air stream where it isintended to be broken into a line aerosol or spray which passes with theair into the pneumatic tool. Where the lubricant is not adequatelybroken up, large droplets or clusters of oil are carried to the toolthereby increasing the tendency of the air line to spit or throw thelarge droplets or clusters of lubricant. Likewise, the excess oil in theline may result in excess cil being supplied to the tool. It istherefore highly desirable in these devices to be able in a fool-proofmanner to provide fine droplets or spray in the air stream so as toavoid the adverse contingencies above enumerated.

The invention herein described is characterized by the provision of'anair line. lubricating device in which the lubricant is dispersed intotheV air stream in the form of a finely divided spray so that it is notnecessary to rely on the unreliable results obtained from the breakingup of the drops of lubricant by the airL stream, as in the case of priordevices. `Accordingly, such is the primary object of the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed having means-for controlling the amount of spray entering theair stream of` the device.

Still another object of the invention is1 toi provide such an air linelubricating device which is simple and economical in operation andconstruction and which will operate eiciently and automatically inproviding lubricant in the form of a line spray to the air feeding thepneumatic tool.

Another object of the invention is to providea device for lubricatingair fed to pneumatically operated tools having atomi'zing means forbreaking the lubricant intof a finey spray prior to its being fed intothe air stream.

Other objects of the: invention lie` in the pro vision of a device ofthe character described which isv constructed of few parts, is compactin size, yet extremely" efiicient ini operation and which" isi-sturdyand durable.

rfhese and other' objects will `become apparent CJI as the descriptionof the invention proceeds, in connection with which a preferredembodiment of the invention has been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is not intended to be restricted to features of form, size,proportion or minor features of the construction as minor changestherein may occur to skilled artisans without departing from the spiritof the invention. l

In the drawings wherein like reference characters have been employed toindicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several partsthereof:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken through an air line lubricating deviceconstructed in accordance with our invention and showing the principlesthereof.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device embodying the invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken through the device of Fig. 1along the line 3 3 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the atomizing means of thedevice and showing details of construction thereof.

The device embodying the invention is ntended to be connected into acompressed air line between the source of air and the pneumatic tool sothat it will operate only when the tool is operated. In this respect theoperation of the device is automatic. In addition, the principle ofoperation of the herein device consists of withdrawing the fluidlubricant from the bowl constituting the reservoir therefor in the .iform of a liquid and thereafter reducing same finely divided spra',namely, atoniizing` to a the fluid. lubricant, prior to its being fedinto the air line to be carried to the pneumatic tool, To accomplishthis object, we provide novel atomizing apparatus which, to the' best ofour knowledge, has heretofore' never been used in devices of thecharacter herewith concerned. The result of such a structure is toprovide an extremely fine spray', very much iine'r and more thoroughlydispersed than' heretofore possible, thereby elimmating the diiicultiesof excess lubrication, spitting, etc., tending' to occur in prior artdevices.

It is desirable under actual operating conditicns to be able eitherV toincrease' or decrease the quantity of lubricant spray beingV supplied tothe air line. Accordingly, we also provide regulating means forcontrolling the amount of l1.1bricant\sprayedl inte the line.

Referring now toA the drawings,- the air line lubricating deviceembodying our invention is designated generally by the .referencecharacter I3. Same includes a bowl I i which may be made from somestrong, transparent material such as plastic or glass, so that lubricantcarried therein may be seen. The bowl Il is secured to a head I3 in arecess i4 provided on its undersurface into which the upper lip of thebowl Ilris seated. The lip is formed with an overn hanging flange I6 andthere may be a suitable gasket i1 between the flange It and the seat. Anannular' ring IS engages the bottom of the head I3 in an edge-to-edgejuncture I9 and a shoulder 23 formed on the inside oi the ring id enmgages beneath the ilange I for securing the bowl li to the head I3.Suitable cap screws 2i eX- tend through the head I3 at spaced positionsthereabout and threadedly engage the ring iii tightly to hold the deviceIii in assembly.

The upper surface of the head I3 is provided with a diametricallyextending cylindrical ridge '22 which may be and preferably is integralwith the head. A central passageway 23 is provided in the ridge 22throughout its length and transverse of the head I3 and alsoperpendicular to the axis of the bowl II. .Tn the operation of thedevice EEB, the normal position of the cup is with its axis vertical asshown in the figures.

rIhe passageway 23 is connected with the air line 24 in a well-knownmanner. The left hand end of the passageway is threaded at 25 and theline 24 is connected thereto by an ordinary pressure coupling 25. Theright hand end of the lpassageway 23 is threaded at 21 and is connectedto the air line by the pressure coupling 23. The direction of flow ofair through the device is from left to right as viewed in Figs. l and 2.As will be further explained, the device is so constructed that sameoperates properly when so associated with the line 24. Conse ouently, itis desirable to provide the device I3 with some indicia indicating theassociation of parts which insures proper direction of air flow. Towardthis end I may provide an arrow 29 on the top of the ridge 22, whicharrow may be stamped or otherwise formed in the metal from which thedevice is formed.

The construction of the device as thus i'ar described is conventional.It is not intended to be limited thereto by way of size or proportion ofthe parts as changes therein no doubt could occur to skilled artisanswithout diverging from the aims of the invention and the objects therebyaccomplished.

To accomplish the objects which we have attributed to this invention, weprovide means hereinafter described to withdraw fluid lubricant I2 fromthe bowl Il and reduce same to a hnely dispersed spray before supplyingsame to the passageway '23 to be carried through the line 24 to thepneumatic tool.

In proximity to the left hand end of the passageway 23 there is avertical duct 3i which communicates with the passageway 23. low cylinder32 has one end 33 thereof secured within the said duct by means of thethreads 34 and in communication with the duct. The op'- posite end ofthe cylinder consists of a reduced diameter portion 35 also providedwith threads for attachment to a block member 36.

The block member 36 may be formed from metal or other suitably rigidmaterial. The member 33 may be formed by a solid block and thereafterhave a central, horizontal passageway or bore 31 drilled therethroughalong its entire A hol- Y length. The opposite ends of the passageway 31thereafter may be closed by means or plugs 38, 39 secured therein. Atone end of the block 35 is provided a vertical duct 4G communicating atits top end with the upper surface 4I o said block, the opposite end 42being closed and disposed in line with the passageway 31 to communicatetherewith. It will be noted that the duct 40 is disposed perpendicularlyto the passageway 31 and in communication therewith.

The opposite end of the block also is provided with a second verticalduct 43 having its top end opening to the surface 4I and its oppositeend communicating with a vertical opening 44 in the block 33` opening tothe bottom surface 45 thereof. Mounted within the opening 44 is a shorttube 45 having a portion 41 depending from the block and another portion48 extending up into the duct 43 removed from the passageway 31, A shortnozzle 46 is secured within the upper end of the duct 43 having itslower portion surrounding the end of portion 48 and its upper enddisposed in the recess I4 of the head. Secured over the portion 41 is anelongate tube 5a having its free end 5I adapted to be disposed in thebody of iluid lubricant I2.

Immediately above the nozzle 4s is provided a second vertical duct 52communicating with the passageway 23 and recess I4. In the duct issecured a ne mesh screen member designated 53.

The manner in which the device l) operates is as follows: Air enteringthe device from the left hand side thereof passes through the duct 3linto the passageway 43, then into passageway 31 and thereupon out of thepassageway into the chamber 43. From there, the air passes out of thechamber 43 through the nozzle 49 into the recess I4. The compressed airilowing past the open end of the tube 46 will create a low pressure areathereat whereby to cause the fluid lubricant i2 to be drawn up into thetube 50, out through tube 46, and nozzle` 49'. Upon emerging into therecess I4, the fluid lubricant will be dis persed and atomized, thegreater part of the spray dispersed passing through the screen 33 whichwill break up larger droplets if any exist. In this manner, thelubricant entering the passageway 23 already is finely divided and maybe further broken up by the air passing through the passageway 23.

It will be noted that lubricant not sprayed into the passageway 23 willfall back into the bowl.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, there may be seen the regulating meansprovided for controlling the amount of lubricant spray introduced intothe passageway 23. Between the ducts 3| and 52 there is provided afitting A55 which is secured to the upper wall of the ridge 22. Thebottom of the ntting is screw threaded into a suitable opening formed inthe ridge 2'2 as indicated at 56, and the upper end of the tting 55 alsois threaded as shown at 51. The center of the fitting has a screwthreaded passageway into which is ntted an elongate stem 58 the upperend of which has a 1irnurled thumb screw 59 and the lower end of whichextends into and across the passageway 23 to pass through an opening @Ilin a plug 6I. The plug BI may be formed as a hollow member so that thestem 58 may be secured therein by means of the nut 62.

The plug 3l is adapted to ride in and out of a well 63 in the member 64screw-threaded into the undersurface of the recess I4. The head I3 isprovided with an opening 66 through which the plug 54 ymay be`-reciprocated. i By manipulating the `thumb screwl59, the `plug Vmay beselectively disposed inthe passagewayv23 closing off `a portionthereofor all. `of it `as maybe-desired. Air is 4supplied-to theIdownstreamiend of the line by maintaining the upstream: and atAconstant pressure. -Each cycleoffthe air-operated' tool causes air.` topass into the downstream side of the passagewayf23 eitherpast'theplug 6Ior through theatomizer rconduit..3l. The `amount `of airpassingthroughithe'ducti may be regulated by varying the.` position ofplugfi I' thereby permitting the'amount koflubricantspray supplied to`the passageway .23 ,to be` controlled.

In. order to;llnthebowl` I I .without disconnectingtheientirefdevicefrom;theline, a ller plug 'I0 is screw-threadedinto anappropriate opening II in the top of the head I3 which openingcommunicates with thebowl I I.

In connectionwith the'operation of the regulating valve constructionheretofore described, the tube 5,0 preferably is formed of a flexibletransparent material, such .as.plastic. This enables the amountoflubricant drawn into or .through tube 5U tobe observed. `Thus, withthe plug' 6I completely disposed in the well '63, and passageway 23 wideopen, there may be a small quantity of air passing through the duct 3l,while a tool is being used, but probably insufficient to cause lubricantto be drawn up the tube 5l). The plug 6I then may be withdrawn from thewell to a position blocking oi a portion of the passageway 23 to causemore air to be supplied to the tools through duct 3l. As the plug isthus adjusted, the observer may watch the lubricant rising higher andhigher until now is noted as tools are used. 'I'he user may thus beenabled to determine the amount of adjustment in the position of theplug 6I in the passageway 23 which is required to obtain desiredquantities of lubricant spray supplied to the passageway. By making thetube 5D transparent, there are provided indicating means in the bowl forobserving, at least approximately, the amount of fluid lubricantsupplied to the passageway 23 as the regulating valve is adjusted.

It is believed that the invention has been sufficiently described inorder to enable construction, use and practice thereof by the skilledartisan. It is again pointed out that considerable variation is possiblein minor details of the device without in any way departing from thespirit of the invention, and it is desired to be limited in scope onlyby the claims hereto appended.

We claim:

1. A lubricating device for insertion into a compressed air line forpneumatically operated tools and including a head having a transversepassageway therethrough for connection at respective ends thereof intosaid line, a bowl secured to the head and having a. body of fluidlubricant in the bottom thereof and an air chamber in the bowl above thesaid body, a first duct in the head communicating from the upstream endof said passageway to the chamber, and a second duct in the headcommunicating from the downstream end of the said passageway to thechamber, an atomiaer in the chamber adjacent said second duct and havinga part dipping into the body of lubricant and said atomizer beingpointed in a direction toward the passageway and directing a spray oflubricant through the second duct and into the downstream end of thepassageway, said atomizing means having air communication with saidfirst duct whereby air diverted from the upstream end ofthe passagewaywill be conducted to said atomizing means .to cause same to drawfiuidfromthe body of lubricant and atomico said fluidfand'a valve-in thepassageway for controlling the. amount of air passing through .thepassageway and diverted tofsaid first duct.

2. A device as described in claim l in which thevalve is movable to Lanyfixed position oe-- tween conditions wherein the valve fully opens said;passageway and where the valve fully blocks sai'dpassageway.

3. `A device as described in claim 2 in which said passageway isunobstructed except for said valve iandsaijd valve includes a plugmovable in saidxpassageway :and is located between the said ducts.

4. :A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressedair-.linefor a'pneumatic tool andincluding aheadhaving a transversepassageway therethrough for connection into said line, abowl `secured tosaid head constituting reservoir for a body. of iiuid lubricant andhaving an air chamber above said body, a first duct in said headconnecting the upstream end of the passageway to said air chamber, meansin said head for withdrawinglubricant from said body and atomizing thesame, said means .including a conduit opening at one end thereof in saidbody, and having an outlet in the chamber, a second conduit in saidchamber connected to said upstream duct and arranged to lead airdiverted from the passageway to said outlet to cause said meaans tooperate, a second duct in said head at the downstream end of thepassageway in substantial alignment with said outlet for receivingtherethrough the atomized lubricant, and a valve in the passagewaycontrolling the amount of air passing through the passageway anddiverted through said second conduit.

5. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressed airline for a pneumatic tool and including a head having a transversepassageway therethrough for connection into said line, a bowl secured tosaid head constituting a reservoir for a body of fluid lubricant andhaving an air chamber above said body, a first duct in said headconnecting the upstream end of the passageway to said chamber, and asecond duct in the head communicating from the downstream end of thepassageway to the chamber, Vatomizing means in the chamber including aconduit having an outlet in the chamber remote from said rst duct andarranged to direct a spray of lubricant through the second duct into thedownstream end of the passageway, and a part dipping into the body oflubricant, a second conduit in said chamber providing air communicationbetween said first duct and said outlet whereby air diverted from theupstream end of the passageway will be conducted to said atomizing meansfor operating the same, and a valve in the passageway between said ductsfor controlling the amount of air passing through the passageway anddiverted to said first duct.

6. A device as described in claim 5 in which said second conduitcomprises a substantially L-shaped block member having a channeltherethrough, one leg of said member being connected to said first ductand said first conduit being secured to the other leg of said member incommunication with said channel.

7. A device as described in claim 5 in which said second conduitcomprises a block member having a channel therethrough, one end of saidchannel being in communication with said rst 7 duct and the second endof said channel termimating adjacent said outlet.

8. A device as described in claim 5 in which said passageway isunobstructed except for said valve, and said valve includes a membermovable in said passageway located between said ducts and spaced fromthe iirst duct.

9. A lubricating device adapted to be inserted into a compressed airline for a pneumatic tool which comprises a head having a transversepassageway therethrough for connection at respective ends thereof intosaid line, a bowl having a sump therein with liquid lubricant disposedin the sump, said head being secured to the bowl and mounting anatomizing device including a nozzle for ejecting lubricant and an airconduit surrounding the nozzle for directing air from said line past thenozzle to atomize the lubricant ejected therefrom, a chamber in the bowlabove the level of the lubricant and having a communicating passagewaybetween itself and the downstream end of the transverse passageway,means connecting the upstream end of the transverse passageway to saidair conduit for conducting a portion of the air entering the transversepassageway past the nozzle, and means supplying liquid lubricant to thenozzle including a tube dipping into the liquid lubricant, the atomizingdevice being positioned to spray atomized lubricant from the nozzle intosaid chamber to be conducted through the communicating passageway intothe downstream end of the transverse passageway and Vsubsequently intothe line, and said head having means for controlling the amount oflubricant atomized at said nozzle.

10. A device as described in claim 9 in which the head includes a wallportion covering the bowl, and the atomizing device is arranged to spraylubricant into the bowl above the level of the lubricant, and saidcommunicating passageway includes a vertical duct between the downstreamend of the transverse passageway and the bowl through said Wall.

Referenties cited in the rue of this patent UNiTED sTATEs PATENTs NumberName Date 1,907,045 Curtis May 2, 1933 2,073,009 Hersey et al Mar. 9,1937 2,187,241 Kehle Jan. 16, 1940 2,613,067 Goodyer Oct. '7, 1952

